Response to HIV & AIDS Pandemic

OVC
As part of the response of the Catholic Vicariate of Francistown to the AIDS pandemic in the country, the Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Project was launched in February 2007. The overall goal of the project is to improve the quality of life of OVC affected by HIV and AIDS in the Vicariate of Francistown. The main project activities include supporting the en­rollment of OVC in preschool, providing psy­chosocial support, life skills training and train­ing caregivers in care and support of OVC. So far the Project has managed to enroll 510 chil­dren in preschool, 1,490 children in psychoso­cial support, and train 412 caregivers. The pro­ject targets to reach 4,620 OVC by the end of the second year. The project is funded by the United States Government grant and the Catholic Relief Services.

Prevention
We run programs on prevention mainly for the youth but not exclusively for them. These pro­grams are based on the model developed in Uganda known as Education for Life. We seek to equip our people with skills that enable them to make the choices that would keep them AIDS free. Emphasis is placed on the formation of conscience in the making of life giving choices.

Treatment
The Vicariate of Francistown is providing treatment for those who cannot get on the gov­ernment of Botswana program because they are foreigners, undocumented citizens or refugees. We work in cooperation with Dr. Kgosi Mompati of Riverside Hospital, Francistown to provide ARV for about 100 patients.

Statement of Priests of the Vicariate of Francistown on HIV & AIDS

We, the priests of the Vicariate of Francistown gathered at Kanamo (25-28 July 2006) for a workshop on pastoral ministry to HIV/AIDS infected brothers and sisters in our vicariate, commit ourselves as pastors of our flock to care for them in the area of spiritual and pastoral needs.
HIV/AIDS is not a punishment from God.  All who are infected and affected are in the loving care of God as his precious children. The community of the Church is infected and affected by HIV/AIDS but not deprived of the light which shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (Jn 1: 4-5).

Statement of Sisters of the Vicariate of Francistown on HIV & AIDS

Believing in human dignity and promotion of the common good, and recognizing AIDS as a justice issue, we the women Religious of the Vicariate of Francistown gathered at Kanamo, (28-29 July 2006) commit ourselves to continue to

  • promote values of education and formation among our parishioners, especially youth
  • collaborate with one another and network with government organizations and NGOs
  • meet the need for pastoral and spiritual care for those infected and affected by AIDS
  • help parishioners break silence and address taboos in the area of sexuality
  • help parents and elders become effective role models and bridge generation gaps
  • support and encourage care-givers
  • give priority to orphans and vulnerable children
  • help people access available resources

AIDS Competent Church

No one is to be discriminated against because of his/her HIV status. We seek an AIDS friendly church and encourage inclusion. Discrimination and stigma have no place in the church. The body of Christ is infected with the deadly virus and has AIDS. We seek to give leadership on AIDS issues in the Catholic Church.